From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, will deliver the 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture which is scheduled to hold September 26.
Deputy Chairman of the 2025 Ahiajoku Planning Committee, Sir Stanley Amuchie, disclosed this to journalists in Owerri, Thursday, after the inaugural meeting of the planning committee.
He said the committee was poised to make this year’s lecture an outstanding one, which marks the 45th anniversary of the lecture series.
“The Ahiajoku Lecture Festival stands as one of the most intellectually grounded and culturally significant annual gatherings in the history of Igbo civilisation.
“It was initiated in 1979 under the visionary leadership of then Imo State Governor, Dee Sam Mbakwe, as a platform to celebrate, preserve and advance the intellectual heritage, cultural values and philosophical worldview of the Igbo people.
“I am also pleased to inform you that the governor has approved that the 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture Festival be held on Friday, September 26, 2025. The programme will feature an impressive line-up of activities including a curated arts and crafts exhibition, a scholarly colloquium, captivating cultural displays, and of course, the Ahiajoku lecture proper, which remains the central intellectual highlight of the festival.
“The committee is chaired by none other than Chief Garry Igariwey, a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, whose profound understanding of Igbo affairs and leadership experience will be of immense value. Supporting him as Deputy Chairman is Sir Stanley Amuchie, an accomplished banker, entrepreneur and cultural enthusiast.
“We are equally delighted to announce that the 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture will be delivered by His Lordship, Bishop Professor Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese and a globally renowned scholar of philosophy and African epistemology. Bishop Onah is a man of deep thought, clarity of vision and moral authority.
“The theme of this year’s lecture is: “The Future of Igbo Economy Amidst the Challenges of Insecurity in the Southeast: A Call for Paradigm Shift.” This will interrogate one of the most pressing issues facing Igboland today.
“Furthermore, I wish to inform you that all the governments of the seven Igbo-speaking states — Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Rivers have been duly notified and are actively being carried along in the planning process”, Amuchie submitted.
The managing Director \ Editor- In – Chief of The Sun Publishing, Mr Onuoha Ukeh is a member of the planning committee.